What Bowl Game Is the National Championship?

By Sarah Miller · November 17, 2040

The College Football Playoff National Championship is the bowl game that determines the national champion in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). It is not a fixed bowl but rotates annually among six major bowls: Rose, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, Fiesta, and Peach.

Understanding the College Football Playoff National Championship

The College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship is the culminating game of the FBS postseason. Unlike traditional bowl games with fixed conference tie-ins, this game features the two highest-ranked teams after a semifinal playoff round. The winner is crowned the national champion.

Key Facts About the CFP National Championship

The game began in 2014, replacing the BCS National Championship Game.
It is hosted at a neutral site selected through a bidding process.
The location changes each year and is often one of the six New Year's Six bowls.
The championship game is typically played in early January.
Teams qualify based on rankings from a 13-member selection committee.

History and Evolution of the Format

Prior to 2014, the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) determined the national champion by matching the top two teams in a standalone title game. The CFP expanded this model into a four-team playoff format starting in 2014, with two semifinal games rotating among the New Year's Six bowls and a separate designated championship game.

In 2024, the format expanded to a 12-team playoff, where the national championship game will still be the final contest but preceded by additional bracket rounds.

Recent and Upcoming Championship Locations

The host cities for the CFP National Championship are chosen years in advance to allow for planning and infrastructure development. Below is a list of recent and scheduled future sites:

Year	Championship Game	Location	Venue	Winner	Score
2022	College Football Playoff National Championship	Henderson, NV	Lucas Oil Stadium	Georgia	33–18
2023	College Football Playoff National Championship	Inglewood, CA	SoFi Stadium	Georgia	65–7
2024	College Football Playoff National Championship	Hard Rock Stadium	Miami Gardens, FL	Michigan	34–13
2025	College Football Playoff National Championship	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Atlanta, GA	TBD	TBD

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows a rotation of venues across major metropolitan areas with NFL-caliber stadiums. Atlanta has hosted multiple times due to Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s retractable roof and central location. SoFi Stadium’s appearance in 2023 marked the first title game in a covered stadium on the West Coast.

Future selections emphasize geographic diversity and climate considerations, with indoor or warm-weather cities preferred during the winter months.

How Teams Qualify for the National Championship

Starting in 2024, 12 teams will qualify for the expanded playoff bracket. The top four seeds receive a bye to the quarterfinals, while seeds 5–12 play in first-round games hosted at campus sites. Winners advance through semifinals held at New Year's Six bowl locations before the final matchup.

Selection Committee Criteria

Team strength and overall record
Strength of schedule
Conference championships won
Head-to-head results
Comparison of results against common opponents

Frequently Asked Questions About the CFP National Championship

What bowl game is the national championship in college football?

The national championship game is officially called the College Football Playoff National Championship. It is not a fixed bowl but is hosted at different locations each year, often within the New Year's Six bowl venues such as the Rose, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, Fiesta, and Peach Bowls.

Is the Rose Bowl the national championship every year?

No, the Rose Bowl is not the national championship every year. It serves as a semifinal site every three years and occasionally hosts the final championship game when selected in the rotation. For example, it hosted the title game in 2010 and 2014 but not in most other years.

When is the next College Football Playoff National Championship?

The next College Football Playoff National Championship will be played on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This will be the first championship game under the new 12-team playoff format.

How is the national championship game location chosen?

The location is selected through a competitive bidding process managed by the College Football Playoff organization. Cities submit proposals, and decisions are made several years in advance based on stadium quality, weather, hotel capacity, and fan accessibility.

Which teams played in the 2024 CFP National Championship?

The 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship featured the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies. Michigan won the game 34–13, claiming their first national title since 1997.